Johan and Peewit facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Johan and Peewit
Johan and Peewit set off on adventure, with Peewit "singing" a fabliau in Old French
Publication information
Publisher	Dupuis and Le Lombard
First appearance	1947
Created by	Peyo
Partnerships	The Smurfs

Johan and Peewit (called Johan et Pirlouit in French) is a fun Belgian comics series. It was created by an artist named Peyo. The first comic came out in 1947. Peyo drew 13 albums before he passed away in 1992. After that, other artists at Studio Peyo kept making new stories.

The stories happen in medieval times in Europe. They include exciting parts like sword fights and magic. This comic series is also special because it's where The Smurfs first appeared!

The Story of Johan and Peewit

The Johan and Peewit comics are set in the Middle Ages. They take place in a kingdom in Europe. The main characters are Johan, a brave young page to the King, and Peewit. Peewit is his loyal, but sometimes boastful, midget friend.

Johan rides his trusty horse, Bayard, looking for adventure. Peewit follows along on his goat, Biquette. They are very loyal to their King. They are always ready to help people who are in trouble. Many stories are about stopping bad guys who try to take over the kingdom.

The comics also have mystery parts. Johan and Peewit often hunt down traitors and outlaws. There's also lots of fantasy! You'll find witches and sorcerers, giants, ghosts, and of course, the Smurfs!

How Peewit Joined the Team

In the very first adventures, Peewit wasn't there. Johan had many solo adventures starting in 1947. Peewit joined him in 1954. This was a common idea in comics back then. A serious hero like Johan would get a funny sidekick. Think of Tintin and Captain Haddock, or Asterix and Obelix.

Meet the Characters

• Johan: He is a brave servant of the King. Johan is skilled with a sword and a bow. This hero has black hair and wants to become a knight. He is a natural leader and always ready for action. Johan quickly helps whenever he sees something unfair. He doesn't let Peewit's complaints stop him from doing what's right. His name sounds like "Yohahn."
• Peewit: He is a blond, hungry dwarf. Peewit used to live in the forest near the King's castle. He loved playing jokes and stealing food. The King then hired him as the court jester. Peewit agreed, but only if he didn't have to wear the jester's silly outfit. His name sounds like "Peewee."
  • Peewit thinks he's a great musician, but he's not! No one in the castle wants to tell him how bad he is. Once, the King even took out earplugs when Peewit was playing. Peewit's "music" has even been known to make it rain!
  • Peewit gets upset easily, especially when Johan asks him to go on another adventure. But he is clever and quick. He can often escape trouble and fight well. When he outsmarts his enemies, he yells, "Peeeewiiiiit!"
• Bayard: This is Johan's loyal horse. Bayard is always there to help, especially when Peewit can't.
• Biquette: This is Peewit's goat. She has a strong personality. Her horn attack is very powerful. Her name means "nanny goat" in French.
• The King: He is the ruler of the kingdom. He is a bit relaxed and enjoys wine. But he is also fair and loved by his people. He has a beautiful niece but no children of his own. He sometimes wants to go on adventures and battles, even though he is old.
• Homnibus: He is a wise enchanter. Johan and Peewit often ask him for advice about magic. He is also an alchemist and knows a lot about herbal medicine. He is the first one to tell Johan and Peewit about the Smurfs.
• Olivier: He is Homnibus's young helper.
• Rachel: She is an old sorceress. People think she is bad, but she is actually very kind and helpful. She can make many different potions, like a special "Wine of Giddiness."
• Count Tremaine: He is a skilled knight and a brave warrior. He is a good friend and role model for Johan.
• Lady Barbera: She is an old noblewoman who lives in the King's castle. She always wears a green dress. People say she likes to gossip and can be a bit proud.
• The Smurfs: These little blue creatures appear in many stories. They are allies of Johan and Peewit. Even though the Smurfs have their own comics, their adventures with Johan and Peewit are part of this series. Papa Smurf's magic knowledge is very useful.
• Gargamel: He is the main bad guy and the biggest enemy of the Smurfs. Gargamel is an evil wizard with limited powers. He is obsessed with the Smurfs. He either wants to eat them, use them to make gold, or just get revenge.
• Azrael: This is Gargamel's pet cat.

Johan and Peewit in Other Media

• The story The Smurfs and the Magic Flute was first a Johan and Peewit comic. It was made into an animated movie in Europe in 1976. It became very popular. The movie was released again in 1983 when the Smurfs cartoons by Hanna-Barbera became famous. It did well in the USA too.
• Johan and Peewit also appeared in some of the animated Smurf cartoons. They were the main characters in many episodes. In Europe, their TV adventures were seen as a separate show from the Smurfs, even though the Smurfs were in them a lot.
• In the early 1980s, some music records about their adventures were made in France and Italy.
• Another comic series by Peyo is Benoît Brisefer (also known as "Benny Breakiron"). It's about a boy with super strength. In one of Benny's adventures, a man who looks a lot like Johan is seen. He even wears clothes similar to Johan's! In another story, a newspaper mentions a movie called Johan: The Return II. Peewit's goat, Biquette, also makes a small appearance.
• When the Smurfs got their own comic series, Johan and Peewit were not usually in them. However, they did appear in a 2008 Smurf adventure. This story was called Les schtroumpfeurs de flûte (which means "The Flute Smurfers"). It was made to celebrate 50 years since the Smurfs first appeared. This story happens before La flûte à six schtroumpfs (The Smurfs and the Magic Flute). It shows how the Smurfs first delivered the magic flute. Johan and Peewit help a human friend of the Smurfs, but they don't actually meet the Smurfs themselves in this story.

English Comic Books

Not many of Johan and Peewit's adventures have been published in English. Here are some that you might find:

• La Flûte à six Schtroumpfs was published as The Smurfs and the Magic Flute.
• La guerre des sept fontaines was published as The War of the Seven Springs.
• La Flèche noire was published as The Black Arrow.

See also

In Spanish: Johan y Pirluit para niños